The Niagara College Rainbow Knights student-run club and the NC Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) are proud to announce NCSAC Pride, the College’s first on-campus Pride event happening all day on November 22 at the Welland Campus.
President of the NC Rainbow Knights Bruin Pol said that the club approached NCSAC to collaborate on the event, which was inspired by student feedback and similar events held at other colleges and universities across Ontario.
“Working together, NCSAC and the Niagara College Rainbow Knights decided to host a drag show this past March, which was a resounding success,” said Pol. “As a result, we collectively decided to expand on the drag show, officially establishing NCSAC Pride, which marks Niagara College’s first such event in its history and is set to become an annual event with hopes of continued expansion in the coming years.”
“One of the biggest NCSAC Club’s success stories this year continues to be the amazing work done by the Niagara College Rainbow Knights!,” said NCSAC President Dipal Patel. “The Pride Day events that are happening this week are a true testament to the dedication they have. This will be a very exciting day at our Welland Campus for all of NC to come together and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community! NCSAC strives to work together with the NC Rainbow Knights and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for years to come.”
NCSAC Pride festivities will feature a lineup of events from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. including:
Rainbow Knights Vendor Fair
The NC Rainbow Knights will host a vendor fair for students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside The Core and in the Allied Health foyer. The fair will feature participants and organizations from across Niagara that provide resources to the queer community including Positive Living, Quest Community Health Center, Niagara Falls Community Health Center, Safe Space Niagara, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, Pflag Niagara, and Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Center. Various departments from NC and talented individual artists showcasing their handcrafted items will also be in attendance.
Consent 101 Workshop
Students are invited to register for a virtual workshop from 10:30-11:30 a.m. with NC’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Coordinator to learn about consent, sexual and gender-based violence, and how to help support individuals impacted. Hosted by NC’s Students Rights and Responsibilities Office.
Pride Parade & Sign Making
The NC Rainbow Knights will lead a campus parade at 1:45 p.m. starting from the Wellness Lounge, inviting both employees and students to join. In advance of the parade, participants are invited to make signs starting at 1 p.m. in the Wellness Lounge and are welcome back to the lounge after the parade for cupcakes and refreshments.
Dinner & Drag Show
To cap off the day, students can enjoy an all-you-can-eat fajita bar in The Core at 6 p.m. followed by the highly anticipated second NCSAC Drag Show from 7 to 9 p.m. The Drag Show will be emceed by Vanity A La Mode and will include Pride Niagara Drag Queens and Ambassadors. Registration is required at a cost of $5.
“The Niagara College Rainbow Knights, advocated passionately for this event, and are thrilled to see it finally materialize,” said Pol. “We anticipate a day dedicated to inclusivity, celebration, and education on allyship and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We extend our gratitude to NCSAC for their unwavering support in bringing this vision to fruition.”
“NC’s commitment to our EDI Blueprint, and our ability to implement it in ways that are meaningful, are strengthened when we create opportunities to learn from student and employee voices,” said Samah Sabra, Associate Director, Workplace Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “NCSAC Pride is an opportunity for student and employee allies to demonstrate their commitment to learn from, respond to the needs of, and find ways to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ members of our community.”
The Pride flag will also be flying at the Welland Campus on Nov. 22 to celebrate the day.
Rainbow Knights membership
Students interested in joining the NC Rainbow Knights club are invited to fill out the online form and to follow the club on Instagram @ncrainbowknights.
